Strauss, Richard

here titled 'Schwanengesang', the vocal score notated in dark brown (almost black) ink on up to four systems per page, for bass voice ("Morosus") and piano, with a few alterations to the words and the music ("[aber wie] wunderbar erst wenn sie die Frau" deleted and rewritten), comprising eighty-six bars in vocal score in all, not including a repeat 

3 pages, folio (c.35.5 x 26.5cm), 12-stave paper (B. & H. Nr.5.C., with their watermark), no place or date [c.1938-1940], in an archival sleeve, modern green folding box, gilt titles to cover and spine (c.42.5 x 33cm), small hole from erasure to one word on page 2, very slight browning to margins

Trenner 265; RSQV q12394.

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Die schweigsame Frau was Strauss's major collaboration with his Jewish librettist Stefan Zweig, occasioning a serious falling-out with the Nazi authorities over his wish to acknowledge him in the playbills. Hitler and Goebbels decided not to attend the premiere in Dresden on 24 June 1935 and the opera was taken off after three performances.  It is a domestic comedy based on a play by Ben Jonson; the plot treats some similar themes to Donizetti's Don Pasquale.  In the final scene the elderly duped bridegroom Dr Morosus, resigns himself to his fate and declaims an extended soliloquy  'Wie schön ist doch die Musik' ("How beautiful is music, but especially when it is over").  We understand that this manuscript was presented to the conductor Hans Swarowsky (1899-1975) in 1938--or perhaps more probably in 1940-1942, when he helped Strauss by finding and translating the 'Sonett' ("Kein Andres") in Capriccio (which this aria for Dr Morosus somewhat resembles).  He later helped Strauss by finding  and translating the 'Sonett' in Capriccio.